The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 92

‘W-Where did I slip up?’

The moment he met eyes with Namiya, he bolted out of the hall.

But seeing as the tests were already complete, the drug screening must have been carried out by the medical department immediately after the event ended.

That meant the whole thing—securing a witness and orchestrating his escape—had all been premeditated…

“Everyone says the Minister of Education gave them the energy drinks. You’ll need to comply with the investigation immediately.”

Before he had a chance to resist, knights grabbed both his arms.

Dragged away wordlessly, the Minister of Education disappeared from sight as Luka grinned.

“Ha, geez. To think I’d go this far just to fulfill a request from my rival. I’m really the embodiment of fair play. Still, this is what’s fitting for the rival I acknowledged as number one! I’m amazing!”

****

“NAMIAAAA!”

Jayden clung to me the moment he returned from the event.

“I did good, right? I did great, didn’t I? I looked amazing, didn’t I?”

“Ahahahahaha! That was so much fun!”

The Empress also burst into laughter, clearly in high spirits, but she didn’t come closer. The Emperor had quickly pulled her into his arms.

“Namia! I’m really gra—”

Jayden, in the middle of speaking to me, abruptly clamped his mouth shut with a small gasp.

He seemed to think that his special ability had awakened thanks to me, but since it had to be kept secret, he clearly couldn’t say any more.

So, with an all-knowing look, I nodded and replied in an utterly flat, formal tone.

“You’re very grateful? No need. The joy of the Imperial family is the joy of all Imperial Palace staff. Thank you for the praise.”

“……”

“What’s wrong?”

“It suddenly feels like the soul disappeared from between us.”

A sharp observation. He was right. It did lack soul. Jayden rolled his eyes and added seriously,

“This awkwardness between us… I think it can only be resolved if we become family. Don’t you agree, Brother-in-law?”

Jayden turned his eyes into crescents and acted all sweet toward Kiaros, who was standing next to me.

“I really like Namia. As a polite child who shows respect to all adults, regardless of status, if Namia becomes my sister-in-law, I promise to treat her very well. Don’t worry.”

“…Is that so.”

Kiaros replied stiffly, as if he were looking at a kid caught in a lie.

Just then, an aide rushed in and quietly reported to Kiaros.

“All members underwent drug testing, and the expected results came in.”

As expected.

Together with Kiaros, I had Luka conduct drug tests on all Education Ministry officials mobilized after the event ended.

Since there was a chance of spies within the Medical Department, I had only given the instructions to Luka.

All of this had been discussed in advance between Kiaros and me, so the aide whispered quietly, only loud enough for us to hear.

“And the Minister of Education, who tried to flee, has been taken into custody.”

Kiaros gave a silent nod.

“Good. Handle it quietly so the banquet isn’t disrupted. Don’t go through the formal channels—hand the Minister over directly to the ‘Crows.’”

Most likely, the ones who moved with Luka were the Crows. I blinked and smiled faintly.

‘From here on out, Your Highness, it’s your turn.’

It’s honestly convenient to let someone who has more power, ability, and people at their disposal handle it from here.

He was already suspicious of how I always acted one step ahead as if I could see the future—he’d probably manage just fine on his own. Just then—

“And… A letter has arrived from the Tower Master in the south.”

“I’ll check it after the banquet.”

“It seemed urgent. The envelope said, ‘Open immediately at once right now hurry.’”

“Ha… That personality, really.”

Clicking his tongue, Kiaros muttered, “That cranky old man only seeks out royalty when he needs something.” He wasn’t wrong.

He looked down at me and whispered,

“Then I’ll step out for a moment.”

“Ah, yes.”

He didn’t need to report that to me, but it was like he felt the need to. I nodded awkwardly, and he continued,

“I’ll be back soon. His Majesty still has to give his speech anyway, and there’s some time before the first dance.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Just think of it as me stepping out to the restroom.”

“If it’s something urgent, there’s no need to come ba—”

“What are you talking about?”

He chuckled. His breath, laced with laughter, brushed against my ear, tickling it softly.

“I’d never leave my partner alone. Not ever.”

He pulled back slightly from my ear, then looked down at me for a moment. Then he added in a low voice,

“So wait here for me. And don’t go running off with another man.”

The only people who reacted to that line were Jayden and the Empress.

“KYAAAAAAH! He nailed it! My brother’s killing it!”

“KYAAAAHH! No, no, no other men! He’s right! AAAAH!”

I didn’t even get a chance to respond. Jayden, eyes sparkling, looked up at Kiaros and said,

“Don’t worry, Brother. The decent-looking intern who used to be Namia’s partner couldn’t come today because he’s sick. I guess all my efforts to block him paid off! Starting tomorrow, I’ll keep an even closer eye on Namia to make sure no one else flirts with her.”

“……”

Kiaros gave Jayden a strange look before disappearing with his aide. Meanwhile, the Emperor stepped up to the stage and began his speech for the Saint Cairo banquet.

I stared blankly at the sight, lost in thought. Now that Kiaros had left, I finally had a moment to organize my thoughts.

Victor. Anastasia. Keyvon…

One of the three was the mole. That fact weighed heavily on my chest.

Who is it? Who could it be…?

Anastasia, not particularly skilled but quick on her feet, always standing guard outside the Scroll Department like a sentry?

Victor, the social butterfly and former student council president who had only just returned from abroad?

Or Keyvon, who didn’t even attend the banquet today and, more importantly, was flagged by the Empress herself—”That one is deceiving you”?

…Who is it.

Whoever it was, they wouldn’t reveal themselves anytime soon.

Staying low until everything was exposed was the superior strategy.

And even if trouble arose, they could always claim, “Wait, was that classified? Someone just asked where the office scrolls were kept, and I told them…”

But whoever it is, even if they’re not a blatant spy, they’re definitely neck-deep with the Reformist Faction.

Now that I’d narrowed it down to three, I was in turmoil. All three were people I’d kept closer than the others.

Especially Keyvon…

‘He seemed to like me. Was even that a trap he laid out?’

A wave of emotion surged up.

He’d told me to stop overthinking and just give him instructions. Only now did I realize how much comfort those words had given me.

‘Stay calm, Namia. Stay sharp.’

To make matters worse, my stomach, which hadn’t felt right since yesterday, was starting to churn again. I really needed some fresh air.

As I quietly backed away, Jayden asked with uncanny timing,

“Namia, where are you going?”

“Oh, just to the restroom for a bit.”

“Okay. Come back fast. Hurry. Quickly. Speedily.”

I smiled gently and turned around.

Then I stepped out onto a balcony, still empty, and took a deep breath. The pitch-black sky was studded with stars like scattered jewels.

The still night sky didn’t ease the nausea, but it calmed my mind.

‘Pull it together. You’ve done great so far.’

Everything had gone smoothly.

And yet, I couldn’t shake this sinking feeling.

‘It’s not like I ever trusted anyone. I’ve always been careful. Don’t let it get to you now. I need to stop the war, uncover the mastermind, and save my father.’

Now that I knew my father was entangled with the Reformists, my objective was clear. I had to keep a firm grip on myself, even if it meant suspecting my own team.

I was catching my breath and steeling my resolve when—

“…Namia.”

A voice called my name from behind. Startled, I turned toward it.

“Here, I figured I could call you Namia instead of ‘Minister,’ right?”

Victor, dressed elegantly for the banquet and holding two champagne glasses, stepped closer.

“We’re alone. Will you let me?”